The Cotuit Kettleers traveled to Harwich Saturday night to face the Mariners for the fourth and final time this regular season. The Mariners are currently riding a six game losing streak that dates back to July 17 when the Mariners faced the Red Sox. The Mariners came into the game dropping their previous game against Bourne Friday when the Braves scored nine eight runs in the top of the eighth inning to win 9-3.

Jason Finkelstein was the starter for the Mariners tonight. Finkelstein saw some action for the Mariners early in the season against Wareham and Y-D. The Babson College product only had 2 ⅓ innings of work coming into this game, only allowing one run and striking out two batters.

The Kettleers came out to a red hot in the first three frames, putting up four runs after racking up six hits and four walks. Finkelstein was not able to finish the third inning tonight, only having a 2 ⅔ inning long outing.

Harwich’s Brady Bendik came into the game in the top of the third inning with two outs and Kettleers on first and second. After walking his first batter and loading the bases, Bendik was able to strike out Cotuit’s Owen Paino and get out of the jam.

It seemed like after that strikeout a resurgence of energy echoed through every Harwich player and fan. Bendik completely silenced Cotuit’s bats for the next four innings, only allowing one Kettleer to tally a hit. The Navy pitcher finished his outing striking out six Kettleers.

The bottom of the sixth inning brought three runs Harwich's way. The Mariners reached base via walk three times in the inning and all three batters scored. Ty Smolinski was the first Mariner to be welcomed home. That was after Cotuit’s Everett Garber balked with Smolinski on third to allow the shortstop to gain the free run. A sacrifice ground ball by Brayden Jaksa would help score Cade Kurland for the Mariners second run.

JP Peltier then drew the third and final walk of the inning and stole second, third and home to give the Mariners their third run of the inning and only trail 4-3 going into the final three frames.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Smolinski got the bottom half of the inning started with a single to right field. A JP Peltier dribbler to third would keep the inning alive after Cotuit’s JJ Moran was not able to make the play. With Mariners on the corners Sean O’Leary came to the plate pinch hitting for Paul Jones, looking to tie the game. A hard hit grounder barely got by the Keetleers right side of the infield to score Smolinski and tie the game 4-4.

Great defense, better offense

In the top of the ninth inning with one Kettleer on base and two outs. Cotuit’s Hogan Denny launched a ball to deep center field. Micah Rienstra-Kiracofe made a great first step to the ball and was in a full sprint until laying out and making the diving catch and saving a potential Kettleer go-ahead run.

"We knew we couldn't let anything drop. I saw the opportunity, and I knew I had to pick up my team. We're all here together, so I just wanted to make the play for the guys,” said Rienstra-Kiracofe.

In the bottom of the ninth, Kiracofe came to the plate as the winning run. After hitting an opposite field double, the winning run was on second. The Mariners would proceed to load the bases and ultimately win after a balk from Cotuits’ closing pitcher.

"A lot of times a guy makes a great play defensively, then comes up the next inning and sparks the offense. He led off with a big double, and then Nico got a great bunt down. It's not going to show up in the box score, but it was a huge play. They tried a strategy there, and it just didn't work out for them. Our kids executed, stayed with it, and came out on top," said Coach Marc Thibeault.

The losing streak is broken and the Mariners have clinched a spot in the Cape League Playoffs.

What’s Next?

The Mariners travel to Chatham to face the Anglers for the fourth meeting of the season.

First pitch is set for 7 p.m.